 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, First Regular Session
public safety; residency requirements; prohibition
Purpose
Prohibits cities, towns and counties from requiring firefighters or peace officers to be residents of the city, town or county.
Background
Cities and towns are governed by city and town councils, and counties are governed by a county Board of Supervisors (BOS), in addition to other elected county officers. City and town councils and county BOS are charged with several powers and duties relating to overseeing city, town and county planning and operations (A.R.S. §§ 9-274; 9-276; and 11-251). A candidate for a city or town council must be a resident of the city or town for at least one year before election as a councilmember (A.R.S. § 9-232). In order to be eligible for an elected or appointed county office, including a county BOS and county sheriff, a person must be a resident of Arizona and an elector of the county or precinct in which the duties of the office are exercised (A.R.S. § 11-402). Additionally, a county sheriff, superior court judge, treasurer, clerk of the county BOS, assessor, attorney, recorder, school superintendent and public defender must be a resident of the county (A.R.S. § 11‑404).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits cities, towns and counties from requiring firefighters or peace officers to be residents of the city, town or county as a condition of employment.
2. Defines firefighter and peace officer.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 7, 2019
MH/FLF/gs